Molded pulp egg carton and carton hinge construction



May 26, 1959 R. F. REIFERS I 2,833,183

MOLDED PULP EGG CARTON AND CARTON HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1957 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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1 1959 R. F. REIFERS 2,888,183

MOLDED PULP EGG CARTON AND CARTON HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 195'! 3,Sheets-Shee1 2 k gay 7 /5 7G HT 74 49,4 J /7 /0 28 A IA w BY KALL, CKS

ATTORNEY INVENTOR I May 26, 1959 R. F. REIFERS 2,888,183 MOLDED PULP EGG CARTON AND CARTON HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1957 MQH- /m i /0 g x I fi'l {27 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BY KMLL, U- FLoc.uc

ATTORNEY United States Patent MOLDED PULP EGG CARTON AND CARTON HINGE CONSTRUCTION Richard F. Reifers, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Diamond Gardner Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application February 27, 1957, Serial No. 642,789 14 'Claims. Cl. 229-25 The present invention relates to improvements in a molded pulp egg carton which has provisions to lock 'its integrally hinged bottom and cover. The invention :more particularly relates to an improved automatic snap ilock arrangement for acellular egg carton of this sort, tfeaturing an internal locking fiap on a cellular bottom section that nests upwardly within the cover, which preferably non-cellular in character.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 372,111 filed August 3, 1953, now abandoned.

An improved hinge construction integrally articulates the locking flap to the carton bottom, and the character and relationship of the parts are such that the cover section automatically locks to, and may be readily locked to and unlocked from, the flap and bottom section without any danger of damaging articles snugly supported in the cells of the latter. This is because the moving cover section, and the flap in'r'elation to which the cover slides in locking and unlocking, impose no frictional wedging force, or even any significant crushing force, on the eggs, they being shielded by the flap as the sections engage and disengage. Since the intended contents have no efiect on the locking action, it follows that it is effective whether the carton is empty, filled or partially filled.

Furthermore, the invention affords such an automatical-w Ily locking, one-piece molded pulp carton by means of a construction in which the locking flap hinged to the bottom section, over which flap the cover section nests tdownwardly, as descirbed, is molded to provide an outwardly projecting locking lug, and in which the cover section is provided with a transversely aligned locking aperture to receive the lug with an improved snap locking action. The arrangement of locking lug [and aperture, in relation to eggs housed in the cellular bottom section, is such that the lug is conveniently accessible at the front wall of the cover section, whereby the locked cover section and flap may be readily and easily disengaged manually without inverting the carton and thus upsetting the eggs from the cells thereof.

In the illustrated form embodying a bottom section subdivided by integral, continuously extending divider elements into a plurality of rows of cells, an open, trayllike, non-cellular cover section, and a locking flap hinged to the bottom, the locking lug is positioned adjacent the free upper edge of the flap, and the locking aperture is located just beneath the junction of a front wall of the 'cover section with a top panel thereof. In this manner .a free wall of the cover section in which the aperture is formed, the lock flap, the improved hinge construction which articulates the flap to the bottom section, and the 'bottom section are all so interrelated as to secure ease of lockingly engaging the cover section and'flap, effec- "tiveness of locking action once engaged, and ease of unlocking the parts when desired.

The hinge construction as shown takes the form of a crease or score formation molded along the longitudinal 2,88 ,188 Patented May 26, 1959 2 line of articulation of the locking flap and the carton bottom section in a plane slightly below the top of the bottom section. The formation is such that flap bending action is along the longitudinal articulating line, although the formation also may have another portion or portions in which a localized material stressing, binding or cramping action is set up in the hinge as a whole, as the free cover section wall telescopes downwardly over the flap and its lug. In either case, the spring action of the flap causes the lug to engage in the cover section aperture with a snap action,.once the lug comes into vertical register with the aperture.

Generally considered, it isan object of the invention to provide an improved multiple section, integrally hinged carton and a snap locking arrangement therefor of the type described in the preceding paragraphs in which the carton and its hinging and locking means can be successfully, practically and economically made by quantity production methods and on existing paper pulp molding machinery. This is particularly the objective in the pro duction of a 3 X 4 style molded paper pulp carton which is not subjected to pressing, ironing orsimilar afterconditioning to impart a built-in springing action to the lock flap.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: V v

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the-improved carton, illustrating the same in a flat, opened out or horizontally spread condition in which it is taken from molding and drying dies; this view moreover showing the carton in an inverted or upside-down position, the reverse of the position in which it receives its intended contents;

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary views in transverse vertical section along lines corresponding to lines 22 and 33, respectively, of Figs. 1 and 6, illustrating specific details of the improved hinging and locking provisions for the locking flap of the carton;

Fig. 4 is a view in transverse vertical section similar to Fig. 2, particularly showing the hinging and locking components of the carton as its cover is approached toward closed condition; 5

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in transverse vertical section, similar to Fig. 3, showing the carton in fully closed and locked condition; Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the further illustrating the locking provisions;

Fig. 7 is a view in front elevation, similar to but of a modified form'of carton;

Fig. 7a is a section taken on line 7a-7a of Fig. 7; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary .plan view of the carton shown in Fig. 7 showing a portion of the tray (or bottom section) and the integrally and hingedly connected locking Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line 99 of Fig; 8 but with the cover in lock closed carton,

position;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along line 1010 of Fig. '8 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but of another modified form of carton;

Fig. 11a is a section taken on line Ila-11a of; Fig. 11;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to'Fig. 8 but showing the form of carton illustrated in Fig. 11;

' Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional viewtaken along line 13-13 of Fig. 12 but with the cover in locked position; and 5-.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, with i-partsshown with one another beneath their tops.

.inelevation, taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 12 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

The present invention provides an egg carton or related container embodying a pair of hingedly articulated members which are automatically snap locked together by partition members 13. Posts 12 are similarly con- 'nected in the transverse sense by transverse partition ele ments'14.

It should be noted that the longitudinal and transverse partition or divider formations constituted by posts 12 and the partition members and elements 13 and 14, respectively, are continuous throughout their respective =lengths, projecting substantially above the bottom of section 11 and merging integrally with the front and rear wall structures of the section at elevated points thereon.

In zones coinciding with the longitudinal and transverse center lines of the cells, the partitions 13, 14- are of diminished height, substantially less than that of posts 12, permitting the cells to be contiguous and to merge This enables the over-all dimensions of the carton to be reduced to a 'minimum without, however, sacrificing its ability to receive the largest size eggs.

A non-cellular, open tray-like cover section 15 is integrally hinged to bottom section 11 by means of a longitudinally extending crease or score 16 formed in "the carton material during the molding operation. Cover section 15 is provided, at the longitudinal midpoint of its outer wall 17 opposite hinge 16, with a locking aperture 18 which extends from a point intermediate the height of the wall 17 and terminates at its upper extremity, i.e.,-at the junction of the wall with a flap top panel 19 of section 15.

'Bottom section 11 carries an integral locking flange or -flap 20 on its front margin opposite hinge 16. Flap 20 is externally engaged by cover section wall 17 when the carton is closed, the cover section slidably nesting downwardly over the flap; and it is in the improved provisions "for hinging flap 20 to a cellular bottom section such as section 11 that the invention primarily resides.

The flap has'an externally projecting locking lug or button 21 integrally molded thereon in a transverse vertical zone which coincides with the midpoint of the space between the centermost two cells of the three cell rows, hence is'in transverse register with locking aperture 18.

'Lug 21 snaps into locking aperture 18 when the carton is closed.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 6 of the drawings, flap 20 is hinged integrally to the outer or front margin of bottom section 11 by means of a creased hinge formation generally designated 22. In a preferred embodiment the formation includes a longitudinal score 23 which is continuous across a considerable portion of the length of .the carton, and the entire length of flap 29. It is produced by a bar mounted in the molding form.

Flap 20 is rotated about hinge formation 22 in closing the carton, and it is seen that such rotation, localized at the axis constituted by crease 23, stresses the material ofthe carton at the hinge zone. A cramping or bind ing action is set up and becomes intensified as flap 20 is swung upwardly and inwardly to the position of Fig. 4

and as 'the cover section'wall 17 swings downwardly over the flap (Figs. 4 and 5), camming the same inwardly.

FlapiZtl is-connectedat its lower end to aflange portion 4 25 which, in the closed position of the carton, extends outwardly beneath the cover section and downwardly to the hinge area 22. Flange 25 is wide enough to allow the flap 20 to inwardly clear the front wall of the carton cover, at the flaps junction with flange 25, so as to allow the locking button room to snap outwardly into engagement with opening 18, without binding restraint at the base of the flap being occasioned by the cover. Outwardly extending flange 26 connects the bottom of the carton to hinge 22 along a line slightly below the upper part of the bottom section.

The bottom section of the carton has a flange 27 extending outwardly in horizontal position about its periphery, and the cover section has a corresponding horizontal, marginal flange 28 which, in the closed position of the cover, rests on flange 27 to provide support for the cover and to prevent telescoping of the bottom and cover.

At the front of the bottom section, the flange 26 is dropped down in a horizontal plane below flange 27 a distance slightlygreater than the thickness of the carton walls. As will be seen in the upside-down position of the carton in Figs. 1 to 3, the hinge 22 is produced in the form of a channel across which the fibers forming the bottom section andflap 20 are largely oriented in a longitudinal direction. The width of this channel may be of the order of one thirty-second of an inch. Upon rotation of flap 20 toward locking position, as shown in Fig.4, the fibers of the hinge are stretched and bent out of their normal position and have a tendency to return the flap outwardly. In the locking position of the flap 20, the top of flange 25 is at about the same level as or slightly below the upper side of the peripheral flange 27 so that the flange 28 may be spaced a trifle above it, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. By having the top of flange 25 slightly below the under side of flange 28, pressure on the cover will cause flanges 27 and 28 to engage without stressing the'flap 20 inwardly toward unlocking position.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the flange 20 is relieved at its ends as indicated at 29 so as to provide spaces which insure free rotation of the flange into and out of locking position.

The spring binding force in the hinge urges the flap 20 outwardly against the inner surface of cover section wall 17 as the latter is swung downwardly over the flap and lug 21, the flap yielding inwardly somewhat as this proceeds. The lug snaps outwardly into the wall'aperture 18 when the two reach vertical register, and the flap then is adjacent the inner surface of the wall.

The closed and locked position of the carton is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. In unlocking the carton, it is only necessary to depress the lug 21 inwardly. Resultant inward springing of the flap takes place in greatest degree in an elevated portion of the carton cover section in which adajcent surfaces of eggs on either side of the lock are most widely spaced. Accordingly, the egg surfaces are not subjected to crushing force.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, the modified form of carton shown therein is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, with improvements in the cellular tray section 11, cover 15 and locking flap 20.

The cellular tray section 11 of the form shown in Figs. 7 to 10, includes a half post 12A which is of greater height than the lower rim portion 27A which is adjacent the locking flap hinge 22 and the half post 12A is centrally located and generally at the front of the carton where the locking flap 20 is joined to the tray section. The height of the half post 12A may be approximately the same as the posts 12 and the flange 27 which is higher than the rim portion 27A.

The locking flap 20 of the form shown in Figs. 7 tolO,

includes a centrally disposed reinforcing fillet 20A located fillet serves as a structural member to strengthen the generally planular locking flap 20 in the vertical section through the locking button 21 and to increase the leaf spring-like action of the locking flap 20 when the cover 15 is in closed and in locked position particularly as the relatively strong reinforcing fillet 20A contacts the raised half post 12A. Thus it will be understood that the cooperation of the reinforcing fillet 20A with the half post 12A causes the locking flap 20, particularly in the vertical section through the locking button 21, to act in the manner of a leaf spring to urge the locking button 21 outwardly and to enhance its snap action.

The cover 15 of the form shown in Figs. 7 to 10 includes a mating reinforcing fillet 17A, formed in wall 17, which not only mates with the reinforcing fillet 20A when the cover is in locked position as in Fig. 7, but also facilitates the bringing of the cover to locked position as the fillet 17A' is more easily passed over the locking button 21. Above the fillet 17A, the wall 17 is formed with an inwardly bowed portion 18A (see Fig. 7a) immediatelybelow the opening 18 to further insure a tight lock when the carton is closed as shown in Fig. 7. The inwardly bowed portion 18A is concave on the outside of the carton and convex on the inside of 'the carton.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, the further modified carton shown therein is also generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, with further improvements in the cellular tray section 11, the locking flap 20, and the cover 15.

The cellular tray section 11 of the form shown in Figs. 11 to 14 includes a half post 12B which is of greater height than the lower rim portion 27B which is adjacent the locking flap hinge '22 and the half post 12B is centrally located and generally at the front of the carton where the locking flap 20 is joined to the tray section. The height of the half post 12B may be approximately the same as the posts 12 and the flange 27 which is higher than the rim portion 27B.

The locking flap 20 of the form shown in Figs. 11 to 14 includes a pair of spaced (and depressed when viewed from above as in Fig. 12) reinforcing fillets 20B between which is disposed the relatively strong detent element 20C which appears to project upwardly from between the fillets 20B (when viewed from above as in Fig. 12). The formation of the fillets 20B and detent element 20C serves to strengthen the generally planular locking flap 20 in the area of the vertical section through the locking button 21 and to increase the leaf spring-like action of the locking flap 20 when the cover 15 is in closed and locked position, particularly as the relatively strong and rigid detent element C contacts the top of the raised half post 12B as shown in Fig. '13. The locking flap 20 is further strengthened by a pair of contoured areas 20D which appear to be convex when viewed from above as in Fig. 12. The contoured areas 20D are so formed as to bring the base of the button 21 (where it joins the surface of the flap 20) to a position about one-sixteenth of an inch below the general plane of the flap 20. Thus, it will be understood that the flap 20 has been significantly reinforced and strengthened and that the cooperation of the strong detent element 20C with the top of the half post 12B causes the locking flap 20, particularly in the vertical section through the locking button 21, to act in the manner of a 'leaf spring to urge the locking button (which already projects forwardly in the direction of the locking aperture 18 because of the contoured areas 20D) outwardly and to enhance its snap action.

The cover 15 of the form shown in Figs. 11 to 14 includes a reinforcing fillet 173, formed in wall 17, which not only mates with the pair of reinforcing filzlets 20B when the cover is in locked position as in Fig.

1,.bl1t alsofacilitates the bringing of ,the cover to locked position as the fillet 17B is more easily pass'ed overthe locking 'button 21. Above the fillet 17B, the wall 17 is formed with an inwardly bowed portion 18B ,(see Fig. 11a) immediately below the opening 18 to further insure a tight lock when the carton is closed as shown in Fig. 11. The inwardly bowed portion 18B is concave on the outside of the carton and convex on the inside of the carton. The reinforcing fillet 17B and the inwardly bowed portion 1813 further cooperate to strengthen the cover 15 in the general area of the locking aperture.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A molded pulp carton comprising, when closed, coacting bottom and cover sections having generally horizontal, vertically aligned marginal flanges in load transmitting engagement with one another, and a locking flap integrally connected to said bottom section by a longitudinal creased hinge formation and disposed vertically in face to face relation to a wall of said cover section, said flap and said wall having an interengaging locking detent and aperture, said hinge formation comprising a pair of genereally horizontal flanges disposed below the adjoining portions of the marginal flange of said bottom section and integrally connected to said bottom section and flap, respectively, and a longitudinally extending crease hinging said pair of flanges to one another, the overlying portions of the flange of said cover section being out of substantially compressed engagement with said flap flange when the closed carton is vertically loaded at the aligned bottom and cover section flanges.

2. A molded pulp carton comprising, when closed, coacting bottom and cover sections having generally horizontal, vertically aligned marginal flanges in load transmitting engagement with one another, and a locking flap integrally connected to said bottom section by a longitudinal creased hinge formation and disposed on the inside of and in face to face relation to a wall of said cover section, said hinge formation comprising a pair of generally horizontal flanges disposed below the adjoining portions of the flange of said bottom section and integrally connected to said bottom section and flap, respectively, and a longitudinally extend-ing crease hinging said pair of flanges to one another, a vertically aligned portion of the flange of said cover section overlying and being out of substantially compressed engagement with said flap flange when the closed carton is vertically loaded at the aligned bottom and cover section flanges, and said flap and cover section having interengagedlocking means.

3. A molded pulp carton comprising, when closed, coacting bottom and cover sections having generally horizontal, vertically aligned marginal flanges in load transmitting engagement with one another, and a locking flap integrally connected to said bottom section by a longitudinal creased hinge formation and disposed vertically in face to face relation to a wall of said cover section,

said hinge formation comprising a pair of generally,

horizontal flanges disposed below adjoining portions of the flange of said bottom section and integrally connected to said bottom section and flap, respectively, and a longitudinally extending crease formation hinging said pair of flanges to one another, a portion of the vertically aligned flange of said cover section overlying and being out of substantially compressed engagement with said flap flange when the closed carton is vertically loaded at the aligned bottom and cover section flanges, the opposite ends of said crease formation and the flanges connectn a ap an51 tom sec on be n space inw rdly from and in general longitudinal alignment with adjacent'portions of the flange of said bottom section.

4. A molded pulp carton comprising, when closed, coacting bottom and cover sections having generally horizontal, vertically aligned marginal flanges in load trans mitting engagement with one another, and a locking flap integrally connected to said bottom section by a longitudinal creased hinge formation and disposed vertically in face to face relation to a wall of said cover section, said hinge formation comprising a pair of generally horizontal flanges disposed below the flange of said bottom section and integrally connected to said bottom section and flap, respectively, and a longitudinally extending crease formation hinging said pair of flanges to one another, a portion of the flange of said cover section overlying and being out of substantially compressed engagement with said flap flange when the closed carton is vertically loaded at the aligned bottom and cover section .flanges, and opposite ends of said crease formation being separated by slots from adjacent portions of the flange of said bottom section, said flap and cover section having interengaged locking means.

5. A molded pulp carton comprising, in the closed condition, an upwardly opening bottom section having a horizontally and outwardly extending peripheral flange formation at its upper edge, a cooperating top cover section having depending side walls terminating in a horizontally and outwardly extending peripheral flange formation, said cover section having the flange formation along the edge of one of its side walls hinged to the flange formation along a corresponding edge of the bottom section so that the flange formations are in vertical alignment and abutting load carrying relation, a locking flap on the bottom section and extending vertically in faceto-face engagement along the inside of a wall of the cover section opposite the hinged connection of the cover section with the bottom section, said locking flap and said cover section wall having cooperating interengaging locking aperture and detent means, said flap being connected to the upper edge of the bottom section by an integral l hinge formation consisting of generally parallel vertically spaced flange formations and a connecting portion which has a longitudinal groove in the outer surface thereof, said hinge formation being located below a horizontal plane extending through the meeting line of the carton sections and being separated from the adjoining portions of the flange formation on the bottom section by slots extending transversely thereof at opposite ends of said hinge formation whereby the hinge formation urges the flap outwardly into snug engagement with the cover wall and to engage the locking detent in the aperture with no load being transmitted from the overlying flange formation on the cover section to said hinge section.

6. A molded pulp egg carton comprising a bottom section composed of a longitudinal series of contiguous cells formed of walls flaring upwardly and outwardly, an open-faced non-cellular cover section having a substantially flat top and downwardly and outwardly diverging walls, said bottom and cover sections when closed having abutting marginal portions and the front wall of the cover section being provided with an opening closely adjacent its upper edge, an upstanding flap member connected to the front wall of said bottom section by a hinge structure which is characterized by outwardly extending flange portions on the opposed edges of said flap member and bottom section front wall, the flange portion on said flap member overlying the flange portion on said wall and being connected thereto at the outer edge by a hinge portion having a groove molded in the outer surface thereof at the juncture thereof with one of said flange portions, said flange portions and said hinge portion being located in spaced relation below the marginal portion of the cover section overlying the same whereby the hinge structure is free of any vertical load, said flap member having an outwardly projecting lug closely adjacent its free upper edge for engagement within the opening in the front wall of said cover section when the flap member is folded back inside the cover section into engagement with the inside of the front wall of said cover section, said lug in the folded back position of the flap member being located above the topmost level of normal contact of said flap member with any eggs in the cells, whereby to permit the lug to be pressed rearwardly to unlock the same from the opening by free rearward movement of the upper portion of the flap member.

7. A molded pulp egg carton comprising a bottom section composed of a longitudinal series of contiguous cells formed of walls flaring upwardly and outwardly, an open-faced non-cellular cover section having a substantially flat top and downwardly and outwardly diverging walls, said bottom and cover sections being hingedly connected at the edges of their respective rear walls and having marginal portions in abutting engagement when closed, said cover section being provided with an opening in the front wall thereof closely adjacent its upper edge, and an upstanding flap member hingedly connected to the front wall of said bottom section, said flap member having a rearwardly oflset substantially horizontal portion adjacent its hinge connection with the bottom section, which horizontal portion is adapted to abut with a complementary portion on the upper face of the bottom section inwardly of the upper edge of the latter to limit the hinging movement of the flap member rearwardly to a position where it will snugly conform with the inside of the front wall of the cover section, the portion forming the hinge connection having a groove molded in the outer surface thereof between said abutting portions whereby the flap member is urged outwardly toward the inside of the front wall of the cover section, said abutting portions being located in spaced relation below the marginal edge portion of the cover section overlying the same with the hinge connection being free of any vertical load, said flap member having an upwardly projecting lug closely adjacent its free upper edge for engagement within the opening in the front wall of said cover section when the flap member is folded back inside the cover section into engagement with the inside of the front wall of said cover section, said lug in the folded back position of the flap member being located above the topmost level of normal contact of said flap member with any eggs in the cells, whereby to permit the lug to be pressed rearwardly with a corresponding rearward flexure of the upper portion of the flap member, to unlock the lug from the opening.

8. In an agg carton of the type having a tray, an inverted dished cover, hinged by a cover hinge, to said tray, and a locking flap hinged to said tray by a flap hinge and extending upwardly into said cover, and wherein a wall of said cover has a hole and said flap has a. button positioned for interlocking relationship generally over a wall of said tray, a continuous planar flange about the lower margin of said cover in vertical alignment with a broken planar flange about the major portion of the upper margin of said tray, the length of the break in said tray flange generally corresponding to the length of said flap, said flap hinge being connected to said tray below the plane of and within the break in said tray flange, said tray flange being a stop to stop transmission of forces tending to unlock said carton from being transmitted to said flap flange when the closed carton is subjected to a downward force applied to the top of the carton.

9. An integral molded pulp carton in accordance with claim 8, wherein said locking flap has a pair of contoured areas, one contoured area being on each side of said locking button, the juncture of the contoured areas and the base of said locking button being out of the general plane of said locking flap.

10. An integral molded pulp carton, in accordance with claim 8, wherein said front wall of said cover is formed with a reinforcing fillet embossed outwardly and located generally in the vertical plane of said locking button on said locking flap.

11. An integral molded pulp carton in accordance with claim 8, wherein said locking flap is contoured in areas adjacent the base of said locking button and the juncture of the contoured areas and the base of said button is generally below the plane of the bottom side of said locking flap.

12. An integral molded pulp carton in accordance with claim 11, wherein said front wall of said cover is formed with an inwardly bowed portion immediately below said locking aperture.

13. An integral molded pulp carton in accordance with claim 8, said tray including a post-like structure located adjacent the front of said tray and generally in the vertical plane of said locking button and said locking aperture, said post-like structure being higher than said second hinge formation, said post-like structure being adapted to stop said locking flap when it is rotated inwardly and said cover passed thereover.

14. An integral molded pulp carton in accordance with claim 13, said locking flap being formed with a spaced pair of reinforcing fillets between which is located a stop member positioned to contact the top of said post-like structure when said locking flap is rotated inwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,796,035 Maier Mar. 10, 1931 2,093,280 Koppelman Sept. 14, 1937 2,100,516 Read Nov. 30, 1937 2,296,808 Chaplin Sept. 22, 1942 2,423,756 Chaplin July 8, 1947 2,578,739 Randall Dec. 18, 1951 2,591,446 Lennon Apr. 1, 1952 2,600,130 Schilling June 10, 1952 2,655,305 Schilling Oct. 13, 1953 

